The victim had played GAA for Dublin in the 1950s and '60s.
A man who attacked an elderly man in a pub after the victim asked him to leave his daughter alone has been remanded on bail pending sentence.
Nigel McEvoy (46) of Marian Square, Clara, Co Offaly, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Paddy Keogh (then 74) at Mercantile Bar, Dame Street, Dublin on November 24, 2018. McEvoy has 14 previous convictions, nine of which are for public order offences.
A victim impact statement from Mr Keogh, prepared by his son, stated that the man was an avid GAA fan, having played for Dublin in the 1950s and 1960s. Prior to the assault he was independent and regularly attended matches but following the assault he became a recluse and was treated a number of times in hospital for panic attacks. He has not attended a GAA match since the attack.
Mr Keogh, now has early onset dementia and is a resident in a nursing home.
The court heard that Mr Keogh was standing at the bar when he noticed McEvoy approach his daughter, niece and his niece’s friend. He believed the women didn’t want the drinks McEvoy was offering to buy them and asked the man to leave them alone.
Garda Eamonn Moylan told Edward Doocey BL, prosecuting, that McEvoy then grabbed the man from behind before he punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground. He then put his foot on Mr Keogh’s neck area and put the whole weight of his body on him. He was pulled off the man and the gardaí were called.
Judge Melanie Greally, who viewed CCTV footage of the assault, described the attack as “shocking”.
She accepted that McEvoy had mental health difficulties, including a recent diagnosis of schizophrenia but said the assault had an “extremely severe impact” on Mr Keogh.
Judge Greally remanded McEvoy on continuing bail for sentence to October 5 next for sentence.
Gda Moylan told Mr Doocey that gardaí called to Mr Keogh’s home to take a statement in the days after the assault.
He told them he had attended hospital in the immediate aftermath of the assault but was not kept in. He went to his GP two days later where he was treated for swelling and cuts to his lips and nose. He had also had a tooth knocked out.
Gda Moylan agreed with Amy Heffron BL, defending, that her client had a drink problem at the time and was suffering from mental health issues. The home he was living in at the time was in very bad condition.
Ms Heffron said her client has been engaging with a psychiatrist following a recent diagnosis of schizophrenia. She said he has since got married, the couple are expecting their first child and McEvoy is staying off alcohol.
“He is a very different man to that on the CCTV footage,” Ms Heffron submitted before she requested an adjournment to allow for the preparation of various reports.
Uisce Eireann Working To Repair Burst Watermains in Westmeath
Laois Councillor Outlines 'Life Changing Experience' On Humanitarian Trip
Volunteers Encourage People Across Westmeath To Hang Up County Flags
Lough Ree RNLI Issue Bank Holiday Water Safety Appeal
Laois Village Raises €170k For New Sports Amenity
Midlands Records Over 100 Homeless Children In April
Gardai Bank Holiday Operation Clocks Speeding Midlands Drivers
Irish Online Shoppers Facing Higher Customs Charges From July
Offaly Bond Holder Wins €500k
Muintir na Tíre Host Property Marking In Offaly
Gardaí Pick Up Early Midlands Speeders On June Bank Holiday Weekend
Plans In Place For Laois Housing Development
Water Network Upgrades In Laois
Ministers Burke And Dillon Announce New Employment Permits
Carlow County Council Encourages Creatives To Apply To CUBE Craft Academy In Greece
Midlands Gears Up For Vibrant June Bank Holiday Weekend
HSE Midlands Points To Care Options Ahead Of Bank Holiday
Laois TD Criticising An Coimisiún Pleanála Planning Delays
Offaly Brothers Found Not Guilty Of Attempted Murder
Midlands MEP Wants CAP Funding Boost For Young Farmers